Ships powered by liquefied natural gas can expect a substantial reduction in the port tariff when they call at the Port of Gothenburg in the future.

A discount will come into effect in 2015 and will continue for three years. The aim is to induce more shipping companies to switch to cleaner fuel. Magnus Karestedt, chief executive at the Port of Gothenburg, said: "It has been our firm belief for a long time that LNG is the fuel of the future.”

“This initiative is entirely in line with our ambition to reduce the environmental impact of shipping and create a sustainable Scandinavian freight hub."

LNG-powered ships receive a total tariff discount of 30 percent when they call at the port. The discount will apply until December 2018. In one year alone this would represent a substantial saving for ships that call at the Port of Gothenburg on a regular basis.

There are considerable environmental benefits to be gained from using LNG in shipping and industry. Sulphur and particle emissions are reduced to almost zero, nitrogen emissions by 85 to 90 per cent and carbon dioxide emissions by 25 percent.

Carl Carlsson of the Swedish Shipowners' Association said: "It's not technology that is the limiting factor, it's the financial considerations. Working within the framework of the Zero Vision Tool project, we will attempt to convince other ports in the Baltic to offer the same type of support."